Health Secretary Criticizes Doctors’ Union Over NHS Strikes
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has criticized the British Medical Association (BMA) for what he described as an “unreasonable” stance during ongoing strikes by resident doctors in England. The dispute has led to a six-day walkout, with doctors set to return to work on Monday at 6:59am.
The current strike is the 15th round of industrial action by resident doctors since 2023 and is estimated to cost the NHS £300 million. Collectively, the cost of these strikes has surpassed £3 billion.
Before the latest strike, the BMA rejected a government offer that included a 4.9 per cent increase in average basic pay for resident doctors. The Health Secretary argued that this would have made them 35.2 per cent better off than four years ago. However, the BMA found the offer unacceptable and issued a list of demands related to pay and working conditions.
During an interview with Sky News, Mr. Streeting expressed frustration with the BMA, calling its position “absurd” and accusing it of being “unreasonable.” He highlighted a previous pay deal of 28.9 per cent over three years when Labour first came to power in 2024, stating that the union had agreed to this deal early on. He noted that the current offer included another 4.9 per cent increase, along with new training opportunities and the cancellation of exam fees, which the BMA had also rejected.
In a separate interview with the BBC, Mr. Streeting denied allegations that the government had changed the current deal at the last minute. He emphasized that the government had acted in good faith throughout the negotiations.
Government Initiative to End Corridor Care
As part of its efforts to improve patient care, the government has announced a new initiative to address the issue of corridor care in the NHS. Teams of experts will be deployed to NHS trusts with the highest rates of corridor care to help improve patient flow and data understanding.
NHS England defines corridor care as patients spending 45 minutes or more in clinically inappropriate areas such as hallways or waiting rooms. Trusts have started collecting data on this practice, which will be published for the first time in May.
Under the new initiative, the Getting it Right First Time (Girft) team will work with leaders at the worst-performing NHS trusts to support improvements in patient flow and better manage surges in demand. Mr. Streeting described corridor care as “unacceptable” and “undignified,” emphasizing the need to shift the focus toward better patient and staff experiences.
Dispute Over Pay Offers
Dr. Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors’ committee, accused ministers of reducing the financial offer to secure a peace deal. However, Mr. Streeting maintained that the government had not altered the deal and reiterated that resident doctors had already received a 28.9 per cent pay rise within the first weeks of the Labour government.
He pointed out that the current offer would provide an average 4.9 per cent increase for this year and up to 7.1 per cent for some of the lowest-paid doctors. Mr. Streeting also stated that the BMA had previously refused to meet with him, adding that he wanted to speak directly with the entire committee rather than just the officers.
Ongoing Negotiations and Calls for Resolution
In a further interview with Times Radio, Mr. Streeting acknowledged that many NHS workers are underpaid compared to the lowest-paid doctors. He emphasized his responsibility to patients while acknowledging the need for investment in other public services.
Dr. Fletcher responded to Mr. Streeting’s comments, stating that the BMA remains open to negotiations and has consistently worked in good faith to reach a resolution. He noted that several options were discussed, including one or two-year settlements, but the government insisted on a three-year deal with reduced investment.
The BMA continues to urge the Health Secretary to recapture the positive spirit of earlier negotiations and work collaboratively to end the disputes. They remain ready to engage constructively and move forward with a fair agreement.
